Abstract ID: 26-228
Outcomes of Lacrimal Intubation for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Author: Davina Jugnarain Base Hospital / Institution: Royal Free Hospital
Presentation Type: ePoster Presentation
Purpose
Epiphora due to congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction is common in paediatric ophthalmology. While most cases resolve by 1 year, persistent obstruction may require surgery. Lacrimal probing is first-line in children ≤3 years, whereas lacrimal intubation is commonly used in older children or following failed probing. We present our outcomes following lacrimal intubation.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of patients <18 years undergoing lacrimal intubation between February 2022 and February 2026 at a single hospital group. Data included demographics, indication, intra-operative findings, and outcomes. Analysis was performed in R using Mann–Whitney U and Fisher’s exact tests.
Results
Seventeen eyes of fourteen children underwent intubation (1 monocanalicular Mini-Monoka®,16 bicanalicular Nunchaku®). All procedures were consultant-led with endoscopic guidance. Mean age was 33 months (range 19–149); 23.5% were male and 17.6% had syndromic associations. Primary intubation accounted for 52.9% (mean age 63.1 months), while 47.1% were secondary following failed probing (mean age 42.7 months). Mean stent duration was 131.7 days with 86.7% removed in clinic and 13.3% under general anaesthesia. Success at 3–6 months was 88.2%. Both failures occurred in primary cases, with no significant association between indication and outcome (p=0.147). Reoperation rate was 5.9%, including one case of retained stent requiring endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Stent duration, probe passage, obstruction type, and syndromic status were not significantly associated with success.
Conclusion
Lacrimal intubation demonstrates high success in both primary and secondary settings and can be considered a viable treatment step between syringing and probing and DCR. Outcomes were not influenced by patient or procedural factors, however larger studies are needed to better define predictors of success.
Additional Authors
| First name | Last name | Base Hospital / Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Shwetha | Kandeepan | University College London |
| Amee | Patel | Royal Free Hospital |
| Naomi | Tan | Royal Free Hospital |
| Rohit | Jolly | Royal Free Hospital |
| Michelle | Ting | Royal Free Hospital |